This thread is embarrassing. Pete, you’re obviously passionate about your company but stop spreading misinformation about ES training. Test fee is included in this offer (it doesn’t say otherwise) and their delegated examiner can test members of the public.
1.Yes, it is embarrassing
2. Very passionate
3. What “misinformation about ES training” have I given?
4. It doesn’t state in their ad that it’s included - or otherwise
5. Their delegated examiner CANNOT test members of the public. Please read the gov link.
The only reason I got involved in this was to report their blatant advert which is in breach of forum rules. I don’t think I can be blamed for that.
To put the record straight, I have 100% respect for Glen at ES. I’m not, in truth, impressed with anything else apart from the fleet.
Anyone wishing to compare, feel free. In the meantime, the price match offer stands till Monday 5pm.
Tests are included - I double checked this when I rang them to make the payment. They have told me the breakdown for training is as follows:
Theory Training (Mon - Wednesday) test is on the Thursday.
Class 2 training is then scheduled after passing the theory. Mon - Thursday training on a 2:1 basis with test on the Friday
Send off license to DVLA, once back with Class 2 entitlement then they schedule C+E
C+E is then scheduled, Mon-Thursday with test on Friday. 2:1 basis.
Send off license when passed, once back and have digital tacho they will then schedule interviews at local depots.
The person I spoke to was decent with me on the phone to be fair; they aim to get people from having just ‘normal’ driving license to out on the road working for them within 10-12 weeks dependent on passing tests and ability to schedule training etc.
Only reason I have gone with ES over Pete’s company is due to the fact I am 30 minutes away from the training centre so do not have to book any time off work to attend the course.
Their delegated examiner CANNOT test members of the public. Please read the gov link.
Anyone wishing to compare, feel free. In the meantime, the price match offer stands till Monday 5pm.
Pete
I read the link. And it says someone must be a potential employee of the organization. The interview which is guaranteed means they are certainly a potential employee. They will potentially offer you a job if they think you are any good, and there are jobs going. This would surely apply to everyone - and therefore members of the public?
If the price does include test will you price match it Pete? If not no problems - but asking never hurt anyone!
andywilliams1187:
I start my training with stobarts tomorrow. It has cost me £2,880.35 which includes theory, cpc, class 2 and c+e. I chose this simply based on location and flexibility around my current job. I don’t believe that having the examiner offers any sort of advantage, and when I spoke to the training centre their retest fees are quiet high (400 inc vat). The other thing I was told with stobarts is that you can have 2 retest at both class 2 and ce but if you fail 3 times at any test then they will release you from the course. Just a rule they have. Training starts tomorrow so will open a thread to update as I go.
Tests are included - I double checked this when I rang them to make the payment. They have told me the breakdown for training is as follows:
Theory Training (Mon - Wednesday) test is on the Thursday.
Class 2 training is then scheduled after passing the theory. Mon - Thursday training on a 2:1 basis with test on the Friday
Send off license to DVLA, once back with Class 2 entitlement then they schedule C+E
C+E is then scheduled, Mon-Thursday with test on Friday. 2:1 basis.
Send off license when passed, once back and have digital tacho they will then schedule interviews at local depots.
The person I spoke to was decent with me on the phone to be fair; they aim to get people from having just ‘normal’ driving license to out on the road working for them within 10-12 weeks dependent on passing tests and ability to schedule training etc.
Only reason I have gone with ES over Pete’s company is due to the fact I am 30 minutes away from the training centre so do not have to book any time off work to attend the course.
Hope this helps
Interesting that it’s 2:1 training. I’ll be interested to know how that goes once you’ve done it.
I’ve read good and bad points about it on this forum. I had 1:1 and liked having the trainer to myself, no sitting around whilst the other pupil had their turn.
Depending on how busy the school is training can be 1to1, with class 2 you can expect to get 18 hours of road time regardless if you’re training with somebody else so it’s not that bad.
I think the main advantage with training with Eddie Stobart’s would be a job interview, not the delegated examiner.
Whatever you might think of the company, a chance to start in the industry isn’t to be sniffed at and if you don’t like working for them, you can at least get your experience and move on to better things.
A delegated examiner might make it easier to get re-tests, but block booking will probably give the like of PSTT enough capacity to have tests available at short notice.
It a long time since I did my training, but I found having another pupil in the truck was helpful, when I was driving I was busy just trying to get to grips with the drive, but when I was a passenger I could watch the other driver and think things through in my head about how to do it, watch the road positioning etc. I also was able to talk through with the other pupil about places we were having problems.
muckles:
I think the main advantage with training with Eddie Stobart’s would be a job interview, not the delegated examiner.
Whatever you might think of the company, a chance to start in the industry isn’t to be sniffed at and if you don’t like working for them, you can at least get your experience and move on to better things.
When I was doing my training that’s what a lot of trainees were saying. They’ve heard the stories about Stobart but the fact a job is near enough guaranteed as a new pass was a big deal. When you pass your test, you don’t have to do an assessment as you’re trained already to their standards and using their kit.
muckles:
I think the main advantage with training with Eddie Stobart’s would be a job interview, not the delegated examiner.
Whatever you might think of the company, a chance to start in the industry isn’t to be sniffed at and if you don’t like working for them, you can at least get your experience and move on to better things.
When I was doing my training that’s what a lot of trainees were saying. They’ve heard the stories about Stobart but the fact a job is near enough guaranteed as a new pass was a big deal. When you pass your test, you don’t have to do an assessment as you’re trained already to their standards and using their kit.
It’s great they’ll take new passes and if the trainers are also the assessors, it does give them a fair amount of time for an assessment, but the term “to their standards” I assume you mean enough training to get a licence or do you mean understand their way of working, familiarity with the type of truck is also no doubt an advantage for a new pass out of their after passing their test.
muckles:
I think the main advantage with training with Eddie Stobart’s would be a job interview, not the delegated examiner.
Whatever you might think of the company, a chance to start in the industry isn’t to be sniffed at and if you don’t like working for them, you can at least get your experience and move on to better things.
When I was doing my training that’s what a lot of trainees were saying. They’ve heard the stories about Stobart but the fact a job is near enough guaranteed as a new pass was a big deal. When you pass your test, you don’t have to do an assessment as you’re trained already to their standards and using their kit.
It’s great they’ll take new passes and if the trainers are also the assessors, it does give them a fair amount of time for an assessment, but the term “to their standards” I assume you mean enough training to get a licence or do you mean understand their way of working, familiarity with the type of truck is also no doubt an advantage for a new pass out of their after passing their test.
Sorry, when I said to “their standard” I didn’t mean for it to come across as if I was saying they train to a higher standard than other schools but more to the point you made about being trained to the way of working. You’re shown everything about the operation of both truck and trailer and how to drive in a “fuel efficient” way. It might be a load of tosh but if you want to work out them after passing it cuts out an assessment drive.
Hi guys been reading the comments about the price to help you out I have booked mine this morning class 1 only and it cost £1125.35 includes vat the 35p is for booking and that is with the Black Friday deal of 25% off that is based on 5 days 4 of them training and 5th the test day hope this helps you guys
But I’m not happy with them. They say clearly it’s £900 plus VAT. Anyone can work out that’s £1080. If you knock 20% off the £1125 it does come to £900. But that’s not the same thing as plus vat.
I can’t comment on their training - and don’t want to be harsh. But I don’t like these tricks and games when they are selling to the public. And I know that PS wouldn’t operate his business by playing these sort of games. I’m waiting for an email to confirm this - then I’ll book with Pete. If it doesn’t come I can’t. I am interested in how they present their quote in terms of pricing.
adam277:
I travelled 50 miles to buy a transit only to be told I had to pay a 1000 extra in vat so I know how you feel.
They should word it as £900 Excl Vat.
“£900 excluding VAT” means just the same as “£900 plus VAT”. They are simply lying about the amount of VAT they are charging. I wonder what it says on their VAT invoices?
Just on my first day - had it confirmed with instructors today that any retests are £234 regardless of how much extra training you will need, but they are planning to increase this shortly as if a person requires a lot more time training then they end up out of pocket.
andywilliams1187:
Just on my first day - had it confirmed with instructors today that any retests are £234 regardless of how much extra training you will need, but they are planning to increase this shortly as if a person requires a lot more time training then they end up out of pocket.
First day has been pretty decent so far
To be fair, that price is ridiculously cheap. £50 p/h at minimum is what you’ll pay elsewhere for use of the truck. So if you need 6 hours further training, plus the retest fee and use of the truck on test it would cost you at minimum £515 elsewhere.
adam277:
I travelled 50 miles to buy a transit only to be told I had to pay a 1000 extra in vat so I know how you feel.
They should word it as £900 Excl Vat.
Commercial vehicle prices are almost always priced exclusive of VAT as the sale is mostly aimed at business, most of which are VAT registered so will claim the VAT back so the price they see is the price they’ll pay, at least once they get the VAT refunded.
However if you are selling to the public and not business, then my understanding is the price shown should be inclusive of VAT.
I suppose a Commercial Vehicle driving school probably might be able to justify showing prices exclusive of VAT, by saying they have pupils whose companies pay for training and therefore will claim the VAT back, but if as we’ve been told Stobart’s can only train their own staff and potential employees, then really they’re only a service to the end consumer not other businesses.
